The Grand Secretary has no heir? His concubine gives birth to triplets.

Ten days later, on the official road outside the capital.

A blue-painted, flat-topped carriage came to a stop in front of a roadside tea stall, and the curtain was lifted by a long sword with a red tassel.

A woman in her early thirties, with a sharp and decisive look in her eyes, bent down and crawled out of the carriage.

Her black hair was tied up high, adorned with a silver hairpin, and her sleek light blue outfit accentuated her full figure.

It was Xin Yi, Xue Lingyi's female teacher.

"Shopkeeper, a large bowl of herbal tea, please!"

Xin Yi tilted her head back and gulped down half a bowl of soup, then raised her hand and boldly wiped the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand.

Just then, a muffled shout and the sound of a whip cracking came from not far away.

Xin Yi looked in the direction of the sound and saw dust flying up from a hill opposite.

A large group of people with unhappy expressions were climbing up the mountain like ants, carrying stones on their backs.

Soldiers with whips stood all around, ready to lash out without mercy if anyone slacked off.

"What kind of mine are they digging over there? It's such a big operation." Xin Yi tossed a few copper coins onto the edge of the rough porcelain bowl.

The old man at the tea stall lowered his voice as he collected the money:

"Sir, you must be from out of town? That's not mining; it's building a tomb!"

"Lu Bingde, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, framed the Marquis of Dingyuan and his entire family for treason, leading to the late emperor's execution of 108 members of the Marquis of Dingyuan's household."

"The Emperor was furious and punished their entire family by making them build a tomb for the Murong family! Lu Bingde's father, former Minister of War Lu Xiu, is also among those buried there!"

"Since Lu Bingde was torn apart by chariots, he aged ten years overnight! His hair and beard turned completely white."

Upon hearing this, Xin Yi's eyes suddenly lit up, and she slammed her hand on the square wooden table, making the teacups rattle and clatter.

"That bastard's finally got what's coming to him! It's truly gratifying!"

"They deserve to be tormented like beasts of burden, and to go to the eighteenth level of hell after they die!"

A traveling merchant resting nearby couldn't help but chime in, speaking mysteriously:

"Indeed, this is gratifying. However, I've also heard that the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion... seems to still have any orphans still alive?"

"Old man, is this really true?"

The old man smacked his lips: "Everyone's saying it, it must be true! This is what they call 'Heaven has eyes'!"

Xin Yi felt completely comfortable listening to this, and followed up with a loud voice:

"My aunt has heard many rumors along the way, saying that the orphan of the Marquis of Yuan's mansion is none other than Murong Shunshun, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Dingyuan!"

"Her Majesty's ability to overturn the Murong family's case this time owes much to her!"

After saying this, which surprised everyone, Xin Yi chuckled, picked up her longsword, and climbed into the carriage.

The horse kicked up a trail of dust as it headed straight for the capital.

About half an hour later, at the Qingyi Garden of the Pei residence.

Xue Lingyi and Jiang Guo'er had already ordered a welcoming banquet to be prepared.

As soon as Xin Yi entered the room, she threw the bundle to Lü Yi and then went up to Xue Lingyi and massaged her bones as if she were feeling her bones.

After confirming that his apprentice was safe and sound, he turned to look at Jiang Guo'er.

Jiang Guo'er wore a pomegranate red jacket today, her belly was slightly protruding, and her cheeks had a healthy pinkish hue.

Xin Yi, without any hesitation, pulled out a chair, plopped down, grabbed a duck leg from the table, and took a bite.

"Girl, you look good. My apprentice explained your plans clearly in his letter."

"Don't worry, with me here, Lingyi will definitely cure Duke Lu's chronic leg pain."

"As for her new identity, I have already written to one of my close friends, who is a reclusive healer with no children."

"If she's willing to adopt Lingyi as her daughter, the Duke of Lu's mansion will certainly have no objections!"

In fact, Xin Yi had considered taking Xue Lingyi away as soon as she first met her.

However, Xue Lingyi was young at the time, and they were afraid of implicating her, so they gave up.

"That would be perfect! Thank you, Master. Now we feel much more confident."

Jiang Guo'er watched Xin Yi's boisterous eating habits, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

I used to think that all great people were aloof and pretentious, but I never expected them to be so carefree.

True heroes are those who are unconcerned with trivialities, and it is truly fortunate that Lingyi has such a support.

She personally poured her a cup of wine, and then poured herself a cup of tea.

"I offer you a toast with tea instead of wine."

Xin Yi waved her hand, swallowed the meat in her mouth, and leaned over to place three fingers on Jiang Guo'er's cun-kou pulse.

After a moment, she raised her eyebrows: "Goodness, the pulse is strong and powerful. You look so thin, but you have a surprisingly good constitution!"

That's because she ate well when she was little and was loved by her whole family.

Jiang Guo'er's face lit up with joy, but she subconsciously clenched her handkerchief tighter.

"Then... when I give birth, the three little ones... shouldn't be in danger, right?"

Xin Yi frowned slightly and said earnestly:

"No matter how good a woman's constitution is, childbirth is like walking through the gates of hell for her; she must never be careless."

"But now that I'm here, even if you're halfway to the gates of hell, I'll find a way to pull you back!"

After lunch, Lüyi led Xinyi to the guest courtyard to rest.

Coincidentally, Xue Lingyi placed her next to Master Longchuan.

As soon as Xin Yi entered the room, she casually hung her long sword on the shelf on the wall.

I had just pushed open half of the carved window to get some fresh air when I caught a strong smell of medicine.

She peeked out.

In the neighboring courtyard, Master Longchuan, dressed in a gray-white Taoist robe, was holding a black lacquered porcelain bottle and filling it with freshly rolled brown pills.

He hummed an unknown tune, swaying from side to side, quite content.

Xin Yi sniffed and frowned.

Without saying a word, she tucked the hem of her dress into her belt, climbed over the wall and leaped into the courtyard, rushing to Long Chuan in a few quick steps.

"Oh my! Who are you, female devotee? Where did you come from?!"

Longchuan was startled by the woman who suddenly appeared and quickly stuffed the porcelain bottle into his sleeve.

"Let me see it!"

Xin Yi grabbed his wide sleeve of his Taoist robe, and with her other hand, she snatched the porcelain bottle away as if taking something from a bag.

He poured out a pill, put it in his mouth, and chewed it.

"How can you be so domineering, woman? This is my sect's ancestral Heart-Protecting Pill! Do you know how much this one is worth? Pay up!"

Xin Yi pondered for a moment, her eyebrows furrowing, and pointed at Long Chuan's nose.

"The red peony root has been cooked for too long (about half an incense stick's time), and the salvia miltiorrhiza is not old enough; their medicinal properties are at least 30% weaker!"

"What a waste of so many expensive ingredients! Where did you come from, you quack doctor?"

Longchuan's face turned bright red, and he was so anxious that he jumped up and down.

"What do you know, you shrew! This was painstakingly crafted by me! How dare you squander my hard work? Give it back to me!"

Xin Yi has a fiery temper that flares up at the slightest provocation.

"Give it back? If I don't teach you a lesson today, who knows if you'll start taking lives like this in the future!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Xin Yi swept her long leg out, aiming straight for Long Chuan's lower body.

"Ouch!" Longchuan cried out, awkwardly taking several steps back.

Although he usually practices martial arts, he only practices breathing techniques, which are no match for Xin Yi.

The two men moved back and forth in the courtyard, and in the blink of an eye, they swept several baskets off their feet, scattering medicinal herbs all over the ground.

Xin Yi seized the opportunity and used a grappling technique to grab Long Chuan's right shoulder, applying force with her fingertips, forcing his body to tilt downwards involuntarily.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, she used her other hand to strike Longchuan's face.

Longchuan was terrified and quickly turned his head to dodge.

"Sizzle—"

The ear-piercing sound of tearing fabric rang out.

Xin Yi was stunned and looked down at her left hand.

She was clutching a long, white beard, the end of which was attached to a large piece of skin with a strange texture.

The air froze instantly.

Longchuan clutched his left cheek, wincing in pain and howling.

"Let go, let go now...it hurts so much!"

Xin Yi grabbed the last layer of skin on his face and ripped it off cleanly and forcefully.

The wrinkled "old face" was instantly peeled off, revealing a handsome face with regular features and strong lines.